ULT Chest Freezers

Eppendorf ULT chest freezers are known for their energy efficiency, reliability, and worry-free, long-term sample preservation.
Which chest ULT freezer is available from Eppendorf?

• CryoCube FC660h: 130 mm wall (polyurethane insulation and vacuum insulation panels), "green" cooling liquids (R290/ R170) for 230 V, and air-cooling
Additional insulated panels cover the inner chamber and increase energy saving. Each ULT freezer of these chest model is delivered with its own serial-number specific certificate.
You can store up to 52,000 vessels in a lab freezer like a CryoCube FC660h.

Pro's and Con's of chest ULT freezers
Why should I decide for a chest freezer? Energywise, chest freezers are the most economical type of lab freezers. As they have sidewall insulation and are opened from the top, chest freezers maintain their cold temperatures very well. Opening from the top reduces energy consumption per volume especially when opening and closing the outer door of the unit on a regular basis. Less energy is lost when opening the outer door of a chest freezer than of an upright freezer as no cold can literally fall out of the freezer.
A far lower but more long-term loss of cold air is the door gasket. The weakest point of an ULT freezer insulation is always the door gasket. As chest freezers have no vertical opening, no cold can leave the freezer via the gaskets as in an upright freezer.
However, a chest model has a much bigger footprint than an upright freezer. Transport into the building and within the building when a new location is needed is more critical for a chest freezer. Its racks are so-called tower racks which need to be lifted up whenever you need to get a sample out of the freezer.


PhysioCare
Besides sustainability, the main focus of our freezers is on ergonomic aspects. Especially the new door handle of the CryoCube models is based on the Eppendorf PhysioCare Concept: Safe grip but very light forces needed to open and close the freezer door. The interface is on eye level for easy reading of all settings. The automatic vent port enables fast re-access to your samples.


Cost of ownership
When investing in a new ULT freezer, the product price itself is only one aspect. Others include the long-term costs of power consumption and the costs of service and spare parts. Keep in mind, a high-quality ULT freezer will do its job in the lab for 10 years or more.


Sample safety
Eppendorf chest freezers are equipped with reliable heavy-duty compressors (2-stage cascade cooling system). Quick pull-down times enable fast re-use after cleaning/defrosting of the instrument. The freezers have short recovery times after opening to provide extra sample safety. Their temperature range is from -50 °C to -86 °C.
For even higher sample safety, the ULT freezers can be equipped with CO₂/LN₂ back-up systems and a chart recorder. Temperature monitor systems can be used to monitor the freezers remotely.


Sustainability
Sustainability for ULT freezers is a challenge: Maintaining extremely low temperatures of -86 °C for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week needs energy.
By following the epGreen concept, the Eppendorf freezer R&D team developed intelligent solutions where energy savings are combined with durable long-lasting product quality and ergonomic aspects. The CryoCube FC660h (115 V) is certified by ENERGY STAR^® as well as certified by ACT, the sustainability certification of My Green Lab.
The CryoCube FC660h (230 V) uses hydrocarbon-based cooling liquids, i.e. R290/ R170. The cooling liquids are "classic" for FC660h (208 V).
All Eppendorf ULT freezers are assembled in our factory with 100% renewable energy.